Review The Jazz Singer (1927)
- Thread starter High Plains Drifter
- Start date
Elliot Thomas
Member: Rank 3
Jolson is at his best when belting out the tunes as a Jewish only child disowned by his father (Oland) as he pursues a career in showbiz. His mother (Besserer) is left heartbroken but all three get a last shot of redemption when the prodigal son returns home to New York’s Lower East Side for a Broadway revue.
This film made history as the first ‘talking picture’. The majority of it is silent but there are a few bouts of dialogue and a half-dozen or so dit-ties (including “Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye” and “My Mammy”). It hasn’t aged particularly well and is very sentimental but also sincere, and a good look at Jewish life in NYC at the beginning of the 20th century. Warner Bros won a special Academy Award for their groundbreaking technical achievement. Haven't seen the remakes. I doubt they're up to the standards set here.
This film made history as the first ‘talking picture’. The majority of it is silent but there are a few bouts of dialogue and a half-dozen or so dit-ties (including “Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye” and “My Mammy”). It hasn’t aged particularly well and is very sentimental but also sincere, and a good look at Jewish life in NYC at the beginning of the 20th century. Warner Bros won a special Academy Award for their groundbreaking technical achievement. Haven't seen the remakes. I doubt they're up to the standards set here.